Richard Boyatzis, distinguished university professor, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University

Lifetime Achievement Award

Richard Boyatzis has spent most of his career determining the attributes of effective leadership and organizational change. He can point to his own life for inspiration, as his willingness to lead and make large-scale change has helped him become a giant in his field.

Boyatzis — a professor of organizational behavior, psychology and cognitive science at Case Western Reserve University — is the author of eight books and 200 articles on subjects including leadership, emotional intelligence, coaching and management education. In addition, he has logged over 5,500 hours coaching business executives, nonprofit leaders and government officials. An online course he co-created on leadership and emotional intelligence has educated more than 510,000 students enrolled from 215 countries. If that's not enough, Boyatzis also is the father of Intentional Change Theory (ICT), which posits how people and organizations engage in what the professor calls "sustainable, desired change."

"All of them excite me," Boyatzis said regarding the various streams of his work.

After receiving tenure from Case in 1987, the New York City native got busy evolving entrenched academic thought in how individuals, teams, organizations, communities and even countries brought about necessary change. Boyatzis's best-selling 1982 book, "The Competent Manager," shook academia by relaying how abstract characteristics such as emotional intelligence — rather than just cognitive abilities — allowed managers to be successful in their jobs.

"I'm variously a troublemaker, innovator or pain in the ass, which can threaten people who like the things they way they are," Boyatzis said.

Central to his work is how individuals achieve manageable, meaningful change, whether a behavior, attitude or their current circumstances. Boyatzis's Intentional Change Theory envisions how transformation is realized through self-discovery and the application of strong habits to create an idealized self.

Boyatzis's long and varied career has been a roadmap of change. His first job in 1966 was in aerospace, at the time fulfilling a love for the space program he'd had since childhood. Following two weeks of intensive work on an engineering issue related to window outlets on a space shuttle, Boyatzis realized how little his research managers were getting out of their skilled staff.

"These were great scientists, but they didn't know how to organize people and keep them juiced," Boyatzis said.

Organizational psychology was Boyatzis's next move, and he worked with Vietnam War veterans on meditation practices and ways to improve their self-control. Before becoming a professor, Boyatzis served in top-level positions for a research consulting company and a market research firm, where he further honed his ideas on leadership and organizational change.

Leading 30 years of compelling research at Case alongside a bevy of talented colleagues has Boyatzis happy in Cleveland. He's also learned a few things in his various leadership positions, whether chairing a department, writing a book, or spearheading a research project.

"How do I capture the hearts and minds of people and create a shared sense of purpose?" Boyatzis said. "Something that's an emotional commitment; something that does well and does good at the same time."

According to his colleagues at Case, Boyatzis has created a vibrant learning atmosphere within his department that's energized staff and students alike.

"That was very new to me, but Rich is a natural in front of the camera from doing other online courses," Van Oosten said. "When you work with him, you can't help but learn something new about the topic and about yourself. He's a bold, innovative thinker."

Boyatzis acted as mentor for Case professor Melvin Smith, whose expertise includes the role emotional intelligence plays in work relationships. Not only is Boyatzis a world-renowned academic named a "most influential thinker" by HR Magazine, noted Smith, but he's able to relay those complex thoughts in an accessible manner.

"He's an incredible individual in combining intellect while being very warm and personable," Smith said. "The blend of those things is what I admire most about him, and try to take away in my own work."

Boyatzis' research is fueled by what he deems a "leadership crisis" impacting organizations worldwide. Coaching to people's dreams and values rather than their weaknesses can create a generation of leaders able to harness the powerful engine of change.